Gene Y in the workforce

Citation

(2009), "Gene Y in the workforce", Human Resource Management International Digest, Vol. 17 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/hrmid.2009.04417ead.001

Gene Y in the workforce

Article Type: Abstracts From: Human Resource Management International Digest, Volume 17, Issue 5

Erickson T.J., Alsop R., Nicholson P., Miller J.Harvard Business Review (USA), February 2009, Vol. 87 No. 2, Start page: 43, No. of pages: 7

Purpose – To study how to manage a situation in which a younger, more dynamic subordinate manager clashes with his older, apparently less dynamic line manager. Design/methodology/approach – A fictional case study is presented depicting a young man working for a US entertainment company who finds his efforts being frustrated by a female superior who is older and who has views about the business that he finds outmoded. Reports the resulting clash that occurs when the young manager takes his latest proposal to the chief executive officer (CEO) over his superior’s head and where the latter rebukes him for doing so and also for submitting sub-standard work. Illustrates the issues involved by means of commentaries and advice from three experts. Findings – Ron Alsop (freelance and author of The Trophy Kids Grow up) argues that the senior manager should reprimand the junior manager for bypassing her, since he should respect her authority, but she should also seek to address his frustrations; Pamela Nicholson (Rent-A-Car) suggests that the senior manager should commend the junior manager’s initiative but remind him to keep her in the loop; while Jim Miller (General Tool & Supply) takes the view that, although the younger manager put his team in jeopardy and his superior should coach him on being a team player and set clear expectations abut performance and communication, she should have done a better job of validating his good idea, possibly by asking him to spearhead some experiments for the group. Originality/value – Reveals some thought-provoking ideas relevant to the team working and command chain issues that can arise when managers from different generations and outlooks must work together .ISSN: 0017-8012 Reference: 38AF260

Keywords: Management activities, Teamwork, Management styles, Management techniques, Managers, Organizations, USA, Case studies